Training camp: Defense, not QB, key to USC turnaround

Who will win USC's quarterback derby over the next three weeks? Is it really all that important?

No matter who runs the plays (or calls them), USC's offense should be fine. There's too much talent to think otherwise. Defense will determine the success or failure of the Trojans' 2013 season, which gets jump-started Saturday with the beginning of fall-camp practices.

Will USC thrive in new defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast's ''52'' scheme? Can Pendergast turn a passive group into aggressors? Those are the factors that will either return USC to national prominence or lead to Coach Lane Kiffin cleaning out his office in early December.

''It's been a great transition,'' linebacker Hayes Pullard said. ''Pendergast brings that swagger that's been great for us. With the help of (position coaches), they simplified this defense for us guys to go out there and just play fast and play to the best of our ability.''

Anxiety is high at Troy after a 7-6 season, particularly with the quarterback situation unsettled going into the Aug. 29 season opener at Hawaii. Sophomores Max Wittek (Mater Dei High) and Cody Kessler and freshman Max Browne are in an open competition to replace four-year starter Matt Barkley.

All three are capable, and any should be able to put up points on an offense that includes Heisman Trophy candidate Marqise Lee at receiver, a deep group of tailbacks (led by Silas Redd) and an experienced line.

Then there's the defense, which got overhauled this spring. USC's 4-3 zone had become progressively softer and more porous during defensive architect Monte Kiffin's three years at USC. In 2012, the Trojans finished seventh in the Pac-12 in total defense and allowed 394 yards per game.

Pendergast, hired in January, made sweeping changes. USC will now play with three down linemen and four ''linebackers,'' although two of them – Morgan Breslin and Devon Kennard – are former defensive ends who will play hybrid edge-rusher roles. Sometimes USC will have a 5-2 front, or a 4-3 or a 3-4.

''This is a proven system,'' Pendergast said this week. ''I have a pretty good feel for what the foundation is and how far it can go, in terms of complexity. I feel it's pretty player-friendly.''

Aggression and flexibility are the buzzwords for Pendergast's defense, and it should show improvement.

Three years ago, Pendergast took over a Cal defense that ranked seventh in the conference in total defense. In his first two years, the Bears ranked first. In 2012, Cal suffered widespread injuries and Pendergast lost his job, along with longtime Coach Jeff Tedford, in a staff-wide purge.

USC could be primed for a similar first-year, Pendergast turnaround, because the personnel is in place.

Leonard Williams and George Uko sandwich Antwaun Woods in a beefy defensive-tackle trio that will have to stop the run. If they can, Breslin and Kennard have the potential to be pass-rush beasts, and they'll be backed up by Pullard and either Lamar Dawson or Anthony Sarao at linebacker.

The secondary is the problem. All four starters need to be replaced, but the Trojans could have a game-changer in Dion Bailey, who moves from linebacker to free safety.

Bailey was third on USC with 80 tackles last season but missed the spring because of shoulder surgery. He's a smart, ferocious player who should fare well in run support and cut down on USC's missed tackles.

''I'm as intrigued as everybody else, with what the possibilities are,'' Pendergast said.

Then there's cornerback, with Kevon Seymour, Anthony Brown, Chris Hawkins, Torin Harris, Devian Shelton and others all in the mix for two starting spots, and none inspiring much enthusiasm.

USC fans can't be encouraged when Pendergast is asked about his confidence level in the cornerbacks and his answer starts with, ''Pass defense just doesn't start with the secondary...'' It doesn't, but it usually ends there, and if the Trojans are going to have a stout defense, they'll need some quick maturity at corner.

''I think the more they hear the calls, and the more they're out there communicating, the quicker they get a feel for where everybody is at and the quicker we're going to be a better defense,'' Pendergast said. ''I really don't know where that is at right now. I'll have a better handle on that once we get to practicing for four or five days or so.''

The clock is ticking, not only for the season opener but on Kiffin, who enters his fourth season needing to flip his own script.

Athletic Director Pat Haden last month issued a public statement in support of Kiffin, but that won't last long if the losses mount. Kiffin's best hope is a revamped defense makes everyone forget about 2012.